Jacques Kuba Séguin

The appeal of using perfumer accrues from the skill and limits of its application. Like the taste of a madeleine that led Marcl Proust to write Remembrance of Things Past, Polish-Canadian trumpeter Jacques Kuba Séguin has composed this three CD tribute to the composition and evolution of perfume. Each CD is distinct. The first scent is of Seguin’s group of pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, vocalist Elizabeth Shepherd, bassist Rémi-Jean Leblanc and drummer Kevin Warren. Parfum n°2 dabs more fragrances by linking that band to l’Orchestre National de Jazz de Montréal; while the third CD amplifies the aroma as the first three players, joined by drummer Rick Irwin and bassist Morgan Moore, meet l’ Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières for a musical olfactory regime.

Based on extending modal jazz, the first CD’s tracks remove the precious from progressive with focused counterpoint between Séguin’s portamento expression and Pilc’s comping, amplified with bass string throbs and drum rolls. As the trumpeter introduces heraldic shrills and brassy triplets, successive duets with keyboard pressure, metallic bass slaps and the drummer’s gun-shot-like ruffs reach a distinctive climax on “Je suis là”, until brass arpeggios weave around wordless then lyrical vocals. Dispassion widens into dynamics on the concluding “Candeur” as musical perfume is propelled everywhere while rounded brass notes spawl brightly on top of the ambulating rhythms before attaining a linear climax.

Expanded parameters from the big band mean that on the second CD expositions soaring colors swell energetically from synchronized brass and reed additions, notably on “40 is the new 30”.  Later interlaced orchestral horn patterns cushion the trumpeter’s muted smears, hard drum ruffs and energetic piano sweeps until one saxophonist’s split tones challenge Séguin’s rippling triplets while other section players echo and soften the articulated themes. Alternating tumultuous and tranquil sequences a crescendo on the concluding “Gratitude” quickens to subtle swing with the trumpet’s grace notes surmounting carefully layered and measured textures.

Like those who eventually learn how to apply perfume so that the scent isn’t overpowering, Seguin’s arrangements mute the symphony orchestra’s timbres on disc three and  blend with the combo’s range. Encompassing string section glissandi, tolling kettle drums and mid-pitched woodwind snarls the musical fragrance sachet takes on unexpected ingredients without altering the basic formula. “Fugue avec Anaïs (à Métis)” for instance adapts that style expressed by mellow French horn textures at the same time as the rhythm section sticks to a jazz beat.

Integrating multiple olfactory motifs into the concluding “le cortège des fragrances – Les aléas de Mme P.”, warmer piano expressions and trumpet grace notes harmonize with each orchestral section to in turn. The finale emphasizes the varied but non-hierarchical ingredient that were extracted, filtered and integrated to create this exquisite scent.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing:  Parfum n°1: 1. La danse du hasard 2. Promesse de souvenirs 3. Rencontre au berceau 4. Je suis là 5. Éphémère 6. Candeur Parfum n°2: 1. La danse du hasard et des dangers 2. 40 is the new 30  3. 26 printemps 4. Paysage pour Muniak 5. Gratitude Parfum n°3*: 1. How we start again 2. Il n’y a pas de hazard 3. Fugue avec Anaïs (à Métis) 4. Entre l’exil et l’insomnie – partie I L’exi 5. In coelum 6. Entre l’exil et l’insomnie – partie II L’insomnie 7. le cortège des fragrances – Les aléas de Mme P.;

Personnel: Découvrez Parfum n°1 Jacques Kuba Séguin (trumpet); Jean-Michel Pilc (piano); Rémi-Jean Leblanc or Morgan Moore* (bass); Kevin Warren or Rich Irwin*(drums); Elizabeth Shepherd (voice, words) + Orchestre National de Jazz de Montréal: Jocelyn Couture, Dave Mossing, David Carbonneau, Bill Mahar (trumpets); David Grott, Karine Gordon, Taylor Donaldson, Jean-Sébastien Vachon (trombones); Jean-Pierre Zanella, Samuel Blais, André Leroux, Frank Lozano, Alexandre Côté (reeds); and Coté (conductor) + Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, Alain Trudel (conductor)

–for MusicWorks Summer 2026